June 4 | Ephesians 4:25-32
- Katie Borden
- Jun 4, 2025
- 2 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Lists, Lists, Lists
By Katie Borden
I’m a list-maker.
I have lists in my planner, in my journal, in my notes app on my phone, on actual physical sticky notes, on whiteboards, and sometimes in emails that I send to myself.
I know. I know. It’s a lot.
The trap for me in all this list-making is that, even though I cognitively know that my self-worth isn’t based in achievement and accomplishment, I tend to feel a lot better about myself when I check things off my lists.
Which is why Ephesians 4 for me can get dangerously twisted in my brain when I read it.
Anyone relate?
I can look at the admonitions to “put off falsehood” (v 25), “steal no longer” (v 28) and “get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger…” (v 31) and think to myself “ooo, three more items to check off the list so that I can feel good about being a great Christian.” And I’ve totally missed the point. (Besides, if I’m honest, can I really even check them off in the first place?)
Paul’s writing here is not a list of things to do in order to feel good about ourselves. I think what Paul is more accurately doing here is casting a vision for what a community shaped by Christ’s sacrificial love looks like. Do you notice that the things Paul mentions here all have to do with living life in a community? The thoughts and deeds mentioned in this portion of Ephesians have to do with the heart, yes, but they also have to do with the way our heart’s orientation affects those with whom we are in community. Paul is offering a way of living together that is molded and shaped in the way of Jesus’ love by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:25-32 is not a list of things we do to earn God’s favor. These are very practical, embodied responses to God’s love that the Holy Spirit prompts and empowers within us for the sake of the world he loves. And boy, does it paint a picture of a community I’d like to be a part of.
How about you?
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, continue your work in my heart to make me ever more like Christ. Clothe me with Christ and his love, so that I would be ever more a loving member of your body. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KATIE BORDEN
I’m a lifelong member of UALC and have had the privilege of serving our community in both volunteer and staff roles over the years. I love learning, OSU football, good conversations, chocolate croissants, laughter, and sharing about the good news of Jesus in whatever capacity I can.
Amen and amen!!
I added that prayer to my prayer list!
Thank you for the reminder, Katie, that we are not keeping a personal scorecard but instead, as Christ’s body, learning to live in unity through His Spirit.
This was a great writing, Katie. I would guess most all of us have struggled with doing things to check them off a written or mental list of "to do's" to please God, to gain His favor. As you pointed out, we don't need to do a big list of things to be saved. We only need to believe in Christ and turn, the best we can, from our sins. Good job.